Managing registration in the Canadian Register of Vessels: Close a registry

No fee. If you want a Deletion Certificate, there is a $50 fee.

Closing the registry of a vessel removes it from the Canadian Register of Vessels.

You may choose to close the registry of your vessel because of the following:

• you want to get a pleasure craft licence
• vessel is sold to a foreign citizen
• vessel is lost, wrecked or removed from service

Notes:

• Only vessels that are free of mortgages can be closed voluntarily
• When a vessel’s registry is closed, its name becomes available for others to use
• If the vessel is sold to a qualified person, the request to close must come from the new owner

1. Provide your request to close the registry in writing and include the following:
   • vessel name
   • vessel official number
   • reason for closure (include the date of the vessel’s destruction or removal from service, if applicable)
   • copy of Bill of Sale, if applicable
2. Send the documents to the Vessel Registration Office

Get a Deletion Certificate

Fee: $50.

If you don’t need a certificate, you can close the registry for free.

A deletion certificate is often issued when the vessel is sold to a foreign buyer who wants to register it in their own country. The foreign registry will need proof that the vessel’s Canadian registry has been closed.

A deletion certificate can only be issued if the vessel’s registry is closed.

1. Provide a written request and include the following:
   • vessel name
   • vessel official number
   • address where the deletion certificate is to be mailed
2. Submit and pay

Re-register a closed registry

Fee: $250

You can re-register a vessel that was previously registered in the Canadian Register of Vessels.